A classic fell running traverse of the Brecon Beacons National park taking in the highest point in South Wales Pen y fan. This is a point to point format and not a marked course so Navigation and route selection are key, runners must visit all the designated summits but the route/ line between them is up to the individual.
Description:
This 24-hour challenge involves 73 miles and some 17,000 feet of ascent. It was launched in 1984 having been completed by Derek Fisher and Andy Lewsley the year before.
It traverses 31 summits in the Carmathen Fan, Fforest Fawr, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains areas and may be completed in either direction. The mountains selected are from the 2000 foot (610m) summit tables compiled by George Bridge in his book - The Mountains of England and Wales.
Route Card: West-East
Summit Description / Grid reference / Altitude (m)
- Start Pen Rhiw-wen A4069 SN 730184 495
- 1 Garreg Lwyd SN 740179 616
- 2 Garreg Las SN 777203 635
- 3 Bannau Sir Gaer SN 811218 749
- 4 Fan Brycheiniog SN 825218 802
- 5 Fan Hir SN 830209 761
- 6 Fan Gyhirych SN 880190 725
- 7 Fan Nedd SN 913184 663
- 8 Fan Llia SN 938186 632
- 9 Fan Frynych SN 957227 629
- 10 Rhos Dringarth (Craig Cerrig-gleisiad) SN 960217 629
- 11 Fan Fawr SN 969193 793
- 12 Y Gyrn SN 988215 619
- 13 Duwynt SO 005207 824
- 14 Corn Du SO 007213 873
- 15 Pen y Fan SO 012215 886
- 16 Cribyn SO 023213 795
- 17 Waun Rydd SO 062205 769
- 18 Allt Lwyd SO 078189 654
- 19 Cefn yr Ystrad SO 086137 607
- 20 Pen Cerrig-calch SO 217223 701
- 21 Pen Allt-mawr SO 206243 719
- 22 Mynydd Llysiau SO 207279 663
- 23 Waun Fach SO 215299 811
- 24 Pen y Gadair Fawr SO 229287 800
- 25 Pen Twyn Mawr SO 242267 658
- 26 Chwarel y Fan SO 258294 670
- 27 Rhos Dirion SO 211334 713
- 28 Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) SO 224350 690
- 29 Hay Bluff SO 244366 677
- 30 Black Mountain SO 255350 703
- 31 Pen y Garn Fawr SO 277310 616
- Finish Llanthony Priory SO 287279 241
Information taken from:
http://home.fellrunningroutes.org.uk/routes-information/southwalestraverselongdistancechallenge
https://www.gofar.org.uk/south-wales-traverse
There is a log of completions on the above website but I do not know how accurate this is.
Comments
First known winter traverse was completed on 5 to 6 December 2019 in 19:58. Write up at https://dansummersrunning.blogspot.com/2019/12/first-known-winter-south-wales-traverse.html and route on Strava at https://www.strava.com/activities/2917648872 .
A new winter record for the South Wales Traverse was set on 11th February 2023 by Brett Mahoney and Tim Woodier.Â
Time of 19 hours 46 minutes.
https://strava.app.link/G0BOlTGwuCb
https://sites.google.com/view/swtraverse/completions/sub-24-hours?authu…
Â
www.southwalestraverse.co.uk has all the updated completions
Damian Halls Strava gpx above has the start and finish on